1. C
2. B
3. D
4. B A D C
5. E
6. B
7. D
8. D
9. A
10. C
11.
B
Individual organisms occupy particular niches (geographical locations as well as roles).
Populations consist of individuals of an interbreeding species. Many coexisting
populations constitute a community, and many communities coexist within a biome.
12.
D
Only 10 percent of energy moves between trophic levels, because it is lost to sustain
respiration and metabolic processes. Saprophytic activity does not explain the loss of
energy as you move up a food pyramid. Biomass decreases because energy is lost, not the
other way around. While it is true that secondary consumers eat primary consumers, this
scenario does not affect the change in energy capacity between trophic levels.
13.
D
All of the listed organisms are involved in the nitrogen cycle. Decaying (saprophytic),
nitrifying (chemosynthetic), denitrifying, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria all play roles in the
nitrogen cycle. Decaying bacteria produce ammonia (NH3), which is transformed into
nitrites (NO2) and nitrates (NO3–) by nitrifying bacteria. Denitrifying bacteria convert
ammonia into free N2 in the atmosphere.
14.
C
Asexual reproduction such as parthenogenesis takes greatest advantage of unlimited
space and resources in a stable environment. This mode of reproduction facilitates rapid
population growth. Although species diversity created through sexual reproduction is
sacrificed, it is not necessary in a noncompetitive atmosphere. Organisms (no matter how
similar) in an environment without limitations do not compete with one another.
15.
D
Depleted resources, competition for food and space, predation, and disease all slow
population growth. These factors shape carrying capacity for populations in any given
community.
16.
B
The first answer is a bit of a trick: symbiosis refers to a number of different relationships
between organisms, including a mutually beneficial relationship, but it does not refer
specifically to that sort of relationship. Mutualism does refer to a relationship beneficial
to both organisms. Commensalism helps one organism and does not harm the other,
while parasitism benefits one organism and harms the other. Competition refers to a
battle for resources and survival between populations.
17.
A
As an ecosystem moves through the stages of succession, it is characterized by an
increase in total biomass, a decrease in net productivity relative to biomass, a greater
capacity to retain nutrients within the system, increasing species diversity, increasing size
of organisms, increasing life spans, and complex life cycles. Climax communities will
not shift unless there is a cataclysmic event.
18.
C
Beech, maple, and oak populate the temperate deciduous forest. High biodiversity is not a
characteristic of the barren tundra. The desert exhibits short growing seasons immediately
after precipitation.
19.
D
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is directly produced by bacterial decay of waste and
dead organic material. (Respiration also produces CO2, but it is not listed among the
answer choices.) Photosynthesis and the animal consumption of producers contribute to
the carbon cycle but are not directly responsible for the production of CO2.
Chemosynthesis is not involved in the carbon cycle.
20.
D
Biomass decreases from producers up through each level of consumers. Grasses, the only
producer in the group, must have the largest biomass.
21 - 35: IDK. sry…talk it over wid yur teachers? lols
36. For the CARBON CYCLE, it was possible to earn points for each of the following statements
or ideas:
__ Explanation of the role of green plants as producers
__ Mention of herbivores in a way that indicated an understanding of their role
__ An indication that carnivores obtained C from herbivores
__ Discussion of the role of decomposers in returning C to the atmosphere as CO 2
__ Mention of CO2 production via respiration of green plants, herbivores or carnivores
__ Discussion of the C in oil, natural gas, and coal as originating from the remains of
organisms
__ Mention of CO2 release to the atmosphere through the burning of fuel or through
release of C from limestone.
__ Discussion of the existence of dissolved CO2 in the bodies of water on the earth.
__ An indication that human activity had a significant impact on the carbon cycle.
In the case of the nitrogen cycle, there were 14 possible points from which it was possible for the
student to earn the maximum of 8 for that portion of the questions.
__ An indication that organic molecules were broken down to amino acids after death
__ Discussion of deamination
__ Mention of NH4+ as the product of deamination
__ Indication that ammonium ion can be converted to nitrate (a second point if there is
inclusion of the further oxidation to nitrate)
__ Discussion of denitrification
__ Mentioning the role of microbes, industry, or lightning in affecting atmospheric
nitrogen.
__ Understanding that when nitrogen gas is fixed, it is converted to the ammonium ion.
__ Indication that nitrate or nitrite or ammonium ions can be taken up by organisms
__ Mention of nitrogen loss to living organisms which results from burning or leaching
__ Indication that plants use absorbed nitrogen to make proteins
__ An understanding of the conversion by animals of plant proteins into animal proteins
__ Indication that on death or in excretion organic nitrogen is released into the
environment.
__ Indication of a significant impact of human activity on the nitrogen cycle.
37. a) SUCCESSION:
Max. = 3 points
__ Definition: demonstrate process of change in communities through time
__
modification of environment/transition of species composition
__ Examples: generalized - lake -> marsh -> meadow -> forest
specific - lichen -> moss -> herbs -> shrubs -> forest
__ Primary - no life/soil -> pioneer organisms/soil development
__ Secondary - disturbance -> climax/stable community
b) ENERGY FLOW BETWEEN TROPHIC LEVELS:
Max. = 3 points
__ Examples: grass -> locust -> mouse -> snake
grass -> herbivore -> carnivore -> detritivore
producer -> 10 consumer -> 20 consumer -> 30 consumer
food chain/web - elaboration of trophic levels
__ Producers (autotrophs) start energy flow
__ Consumers (heterotrophs) acquire energy from primary producers
__ Productivity - measure of rate at which energy is converted
from radiant to biomass and kinetic energy of action or PG - R = PN
__ Efficiency - 10% rule/90% energy loss or pyramid of energy
c) LIMITING FACTORS:
Max. = 3 points
__ Definition: any factor operating to restrict population growth
Examples:
__ biotic - population density, competition, predation
__ abiotic - moisture, temperature, weather/climate, wind, sunlight, soil,
topography, geographic location, nutrients
__ density-dependent - change birth/death rate as density changes
__ density-independent - change birth/death rate regardless of density
d) CARRYING CAPACITY:
Max. = 3 points
__ Definition: number of individuals of a population (species) sustainable by an
environment (as long as the environment remains the same)
__ Examples: predator/prey; rabbits in Australia; deer on Kaibab; human population;
__ Limiting factor(s) determine carrying capacity (competition, waste, predation)
__ Population grows -> rate slows -> stabilize (N decreases)
or
__ Population falls -> growth resumes -> stabilizes (N decreases)
or
__ dN/dt = rN (K-N/K) with explanation or graph with explanation
__ K/r strategies related to carrying capacity
38. DESCRIPTION
__ Definition of Succession
__ Differentiation (Primary/Secondary)
Examples:
__ Pioneer
__ Climax
__ Sere (two or more examples = 2 points)
__ Modification of the environment
SPECIES DIVERSITY
__ Explanation of increase
__ Types of Competition (or Niche)
__ Examples
__ Change in Population Density
__ Description of Food Web
__ R-Strategists -> K-Strategists (2 points)
__ Change in Symbiotic Relationships (increase toward mutualisms)
BIOMASS
__ Production increase and explanation (2 points)
__ Levels of Organizationm (Autotrophs & Heterotrophs)
__ Examples of Producers (etc.)
__ Pyramid or Explanation
ENERGETICS
__ Source (Sun)
__ Utilization - Photosynthesis
__ Explanation of Decrease (entropy -unused) OR Pyramid + Explanation
__ Climax Stability (Dynamic Equilibrium)
__ P/R toward 1
__ Net Productivity Decrease